Having already eliminated from the knockout stage, following two consecutive defeats, the last match will not have much significance. However, national champion Police which is yet to open its account in the points table at least need a win in the home ground to save their face.[break]
"We will play next match for prestige and our only target will be the win," Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha had said in the post match conference after his team was eliminated following 2-0 defeat at the hands of FC Balkan of Turkmenistan on Friday. Earlier, Police had lost to Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) of Pakistan with identical score on Wednesday.
Similarly, Police will also be looking for their first victory in its ninth match of the President´s Cup as it is unable to win in the last eight matches. The last time Police enjoyed a victory in the President´s Cup was in 2008 group stage match. Police had defeated the Abahani Limited of Bangladesh 4-0 on the occasion.
The 2007 runners up and 2008 semifinalist had crashed out from the group stage in 2009 at the home ground as well.
However, the outcome of Sunday´s match between Police and TPC will have impact on three other teams of the group as all three of them have equal chances of making through to the semifinal. Top two from among them will qualify for the final stage.
TPC, having equal four points as that of Balkan, stands atop the points table on the basis goal difference. WAPDA is at the third spot with three points.
TPC had defeated WAPDA 3-0 in their second match at Halchowk Ground and in its first match they shared points with Balkan after a 1-1 stalemate in the opener at the same venue.
At Halchowk Ground, WAPDA will lock horns against Balkan. A win or at least a draw will seal Balkan a place for the final round. A win will pave WAPFDA a way for the final stage while a defeat will send WAPDA crashing out from the group stage irrespective of any outcome between Police-TPC clash. A draw could also secure WAPDA a place in the final stage but on a condition that Police beat TPC by five goals.
A win or a draw could confirm TPC a place for the final round. It also has chance for final stage despite a low goal margin at the hand of Police irrespective of the result between WAPDA-Balkan.
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